Provided by Prince William County
June 17 is National Garbage Man Day. Annually, communities across the nation are encouraged to take a moment and show appreciation for the men and women in the solid waste management industry and particularly their trash collectors, for “Keeping You and the Environment Safe!”
The Prince William County Solid Waste Division will recognize National Garbage Man Day with a focus on worker safety. All trash haulers that come to the Prince William County Landfill on June 15 will receive an expression of thanks and a special treat that includes safety tips. June is also National Safety month and according to several sources refuse and recycling collection workers rank 6 out of 10 on the list of fatal job injuries, which makes the special safety campaign “Slow Down to Get Around” an appropriate focus year-round.
In addition to collecting trash and moving it from one place to another, the employees of the solid waste industry are also pioneers in advancing technologies such as recycling, renewable and sustainable energy, and reduction of our dependence on fossil fuels. Match that with the clear impact on city cleanliness and hygiene, and it seems the modern-day garbage man should be receiving a little more than our garbage every week.
During the week of June 12, there are many ways that residents and businesses can also show support and appreciation for the people doing these dangerous, yet important jobs:
- Slow down and pay extra attention when approaching, or passing a collection vehicle.
- Share a wrapped sweet treat or healthy snack
- Offer a cold bottle of water
- Give him or her a tip with a personal “thank you.”
- Leave a thank you note.
- Meet your collector at the curb and help them lift your load to show your awareness of their efforts.
- Follow the provided guidelines for size and weight limitations and types of materials discarded in the regular trash.
- Properly dispose of hazardous materials, do not put them in the trash.
- Use more caution when putting harmful items in the trash such as glass or hot ashes.
- Consider ways you can reduce, reuse and recycle the things at home, school and work instead of throwing them in the garbage.
- Give the landfill attendants a “high five.”
If you are interested in learning more about National Garbage Man Day, and how you can show your support, go to garbagemanday.org. You can also send your celebration ideas and photos to PWCRecycles@pwcgov.org.
The Prince William County Solid Waste Division provides solid waste management, recycling, composting and waste resource education to over 400,000 residents. The division employs more than 50 people and operates the only active Extraordinary Environmental Excellence (E4) rated landfill in Virginia, the highest level of certification awarded by Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP). In 2013, the SWD also earned the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Gold Medal Award for its Sustainability Program. The Solid Waste Division is a part of the Prince William County Public Works Department, an accredited agency of the American Public Works Association.
